Tom Jiaras Bio...

As the proprietor of The International House of Wine and Cheese, I have spent my entire career in the wine business. I began my journey when my father, Mike, started the International House of Wine and Cheese in 1976. During those early years, as a student at the University of Arizona studying finance & economics, I traveled back & forth applying my course work to real life business.

I enjoyed shipping cases of wine to my “fraternity room cellar” and endured the commentary among my beer drinking fraternity brothers all in the name of furthering my education. I have rediscovered that camaraderie recently, as I have become a regular on Chicago’s WIND AM 560 Radio Show called “Livin’ Large” with Host Geoff Pinkus.

I have had the good fortune to visit wineries all over the world, California, Oregon, Washington, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Chile. During my travels, I have met winery owners, winemakers and sales managers. Consequently, I have been able to develop friendships and long lasting relationships with these wineries. This experience gives me the ability to hand pick great wines and offer special releases, all at extremely reasonable prices. These relationships have enabled me to create amazing Wine Dinners & events with Wine makers, vineyard owners and sales managers as our guest speakers.

Under my leadership with my passion for wine, the business has grown exponentially over the years and become one of the finest wine shops in the Chicago land area. I am proud to now be the sole proprietor and have hand chosen a staff to carry the business into the 21st century offering great product and excellent service.